Iran condemns US ‘bullying approach’ towards Venezuela

Iran’s Minister Abbas Araghchi slammed what he called the United States’ “bullying approach” towards Venezuela, according to a statement released Wednesday, November 26, as US President Donald Trump continues to ramp up pressure on his Venezuelan arch-foe.

The United States has deployed the world’s largest aircraft carrier, accompanied by a flotilla of warships, to the Caribbean, officially for anti-drug operations targeting Venezuela. It has also conducted some 20 air strikes against suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, resulting in over 80 reported fatalities.

Venezuela claims that the US anti-drugs campaign in the region is merely a pretext to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro and seize the country’s oil reserves.

During a call with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto, Araghchi lambasted the US, calling its threats to use force a “gross violation” of the UN Charter.

Trump has repeatedly accused Maduro of overseeing a drug cartel and has also authorized the use of covert CIA operations in the Latin American country, while reiterating that he has not ruled out ordering a military intervention there.

Both Iran and Venezuela have long been under US sanctions. Maduro last visited Iran in 2022, when the two allies signed a 20-year cooperation agreement. The following year, then-president Ebrahim Raisi traveled to Caracas during a tour that also included Cuba and Nicaragua.